National green tribunal bars construction on Mutha riverbed

Yadwadkarâ€™s petitions were about dumping of debris and other materials in the river, constructions on the river bank and causing pollution and changing the course of the river Mutha by private encroachments, construction of road in riverbed and River Restoration Project.

The National Green Tribunal, Delhi has issued an interim order imposing stay on any construction going on around the Mutha river, dumping debris in it. The order was passed by Justice Swatanter Kumar, Chairperson; Justice AS Naidu, judicial member; Dr GK Pandey, expert member; Dr. PC Mishra, expert member; and AR Yousuf, expert member of the Coram in three petitions filed by local activist Sarang Yadwadkar before the National Green Tribunal.

Yadwadkar’s petitions were about dumping of debris and other materials in the river, constructions on the river bank and causing pollution and changing the course of the river Mutha by private encroachments, construction of road in riverbed and River Restoration Project. The tribunal order states that prima facie, the tribunal is satisfied by the averments made in these petitions and documents filed.

The order says, “It is likely to pollute the water of the river Mutha. Consequently, we direct issuance of notice to all the respondents in the ordinary way as well as by registered post and by courier. Leave to serve ‘Dasti’ is granted. In the meanwhile, we hereby restrain by an ex-parte ad-interim injunction to the respondents in these cases from putting any debris or construction material or in any way raising construction on the riverbed of river Mutha.”